Andrea Yates Case Study Essay

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Pages: 3

. Causes and Implications of Andrea Yates’ Murdering of her Children
Andrea Yates’ case shows that numerous factors cause mental disorders such as depression. It is can also be said Yates’ actions on her children were prompted by hallucinations and imaginary scenes that her children were burning in hell. Some of the characteristics of depression that manifest in Yates’ case are low self-esteem, hallucinations, and mood disorders. From Yates’ incidences, it is clear that besides personal factors, social-cultural and economic factors may cause mental disorders. For instance, reportedly, Yates’ family has a history of mood disorders and antidepressant medication. The case indicates that biological factors such as brain chemicals; neurotransmitter serotonin also causes mental illnesses. The case also presents various therapies that can be used against various forms of mental illnesses and symptoms such as hallucinations and delusional thoughts. Family issues also affect the mental stability of a person, especially if the immediate family stigmatize or frustrate patients. From the discovered risk factors, Yates must have been exposed to mental disorder risks throughout all the stages of development; childhood, teenage, and adulthood.

2. Biological Perspective on Yates’ Condition
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For instance, since her family has history of antidepressant use, she might have suffered psychological trauma during her childhood or teenage. Childhood trauma at home or at school may have cause untold emotional, physical, or sexual pain on Yates. Her parents may have neglected or abused her and her siblings. Also, she might have suffered early lifetime loss such as loss of her parents. Other likely socio-cultural stressors that might have caused Yates’ depression are dysfunctional family, unsupportive husband, divorce, unstable employment, and alcohol and substance